In brief
French authorities recorded 779 arrests in Saturday's nationwide protests, with about 320,000 participants nationwide and 70,000 in Paris. A homemade explosive injured a security officer near Porte de Charenton, prompting an attempted‑murder investigation.
On Saturday, French authorities recorded 779 arrests across France during nationwide protests against the rising cost of living, Xinhua reported citing the Interior Ministry and French television channel BFM TV.
The Interior Ministry said roughly 320,000 people took part in the protests nationwide, with 70,000 demonstrators in Paris as of 5 p.m. (1600 GMT) on Saturday.
While most marches passed off peacefully, tensions rose in several cities during the dispersal of protestors.
In Paris, a homemade explosive device detonated at the feet of a security officer near Porte de Charenton in the 12th arrondissement, leaving the officer slightly injured.
The Paris prosecutor's office announced that an investigation had been opened on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the incident.
